Amusement Ride Installation

ABSTRACT

An amusement ride installation has at least one passenger carrier adapted for supporting one or more passengers, and a launch system for launching the at least one passenger carrier. The launch system has a launch guide structure supporting and guiding the at least one passenger carrier to be launched along a launch path, a drive means providing a variable drive speed, and drive means-carrier connection means, including at least one mechanical connecting member, e.g. a cable, providing a temporary mechanical connection between the drive means and the at least one passenger carrier to be launched. The launch system is adapted to accelerate said at least one passenger carrier from a starting position along said launch path until at least a predetermined terminal launch speed has been reached by said at least one passenger carrier, where after said passenger carrier is disconnected from said connecting member and said at least one passenger carrier travels further along the amusement ride path.

The present invention relates to the field of amusement rides, whereinone or more passenger carriers, each capable of receiving one or morepassengers are guided and supported by an amusement ride guidestructure. Provision is made for a launch system for launching the oneor more passenger carriers.

In a prior art embodiment an amusement ride installation has a launchsystem comprising a launch guide structure supporting and guiding the atleast one passenger carrier to be launched along a launch path, saidlaunch guide structure being interconnected to the amusement ride guidestructure, a drive means providing a variable drive speed, and drivemeans-carrier connection means, including at least one mechanicalconnecting member, such as a cable, providing a temporary mechanicalconnection between the drive means and the at least one passengercarrier to be launched.

The known launch system is adapted to accelerate said at least onepassenger carrier—using a winch and a connecting cable temporarilyconnected to a passenger carrier—from a starting position along a launchpath until at least a predetermined terminal launch speed has beenreached by said the passenger carrier, after which said passengercarrier is disconnected from said connecting cable and said at least onepassenger carrier travels further along the amusement ride path.

In the known system the carrier is launched with great acceleration.This exposure to great acceleration is thrilling for the passengers.Also it allows for an attractive layout of the installation compared togravity based launch installation, wherein the carriers first travel upa ramp at relatively slow pace and are then released so as to acceleratebased on gravity alone.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedamusement ride installation.

The present invention provides an amusement ride installation accordingto claim 1. The invention allows for an enhanced control of the launchitself. In this manner all sorts of situations can be dealt with, suchas a too strong acceleration due to a reduced number of passengers inthe carriers or a too slow acceleration due to head wind, (unexpected)increase in frictional resistance, etc. In the prior art installationthere is no control over the launch speed, and thus launch acceleration,during the launch itself. In the known installation only the terminallaunch speed is used as a set-point and it is ensured that this terminallaunch speed is reached. One drawback associated therewith is, forexample, that in the prior art installation passengers may be subjectedto undesirable large accelerations, even if only during a very shortperiod(s).

Preferred embodiments of the installation and associated advantages aredescribed in the subclaims and the description, which follows.

The present invention further relates to a method for operating anamusement ride installation.

The present invention further provides for an amusement rideinstallation comprising:

at least one passenger carrier adapted for supporting one or morepassengers,

an amusement ride guide structure supporting and guiding the at leastone passenger carrier along an amusement ride path defined by theamusement ride guide structure,

a launch system for launching the at least one passenger carrier, saidlaunch system comprising:

-   -   a launch guide structure supporting and guiding the at least one        passenger carrier to be launched along a launch path,    -   a drive means,    -   wherein said launch system is adapted to accelerate said at        least one passenger carrier from a starting position along said        launch path until at least a predetermined terminal launch speed        has been reached by said at least one passenger carrier, where        after said passenger carrier is disconnected from said drive        means and said at least one passenger carrier travels further        along the amusement ride path.

Herein the launch system further includes at least one of:

logging means for logging an actual launch speed curve representingactual launch speed during a launch;

an acceleration calculation means calculating actual acceleration duringa launch;

logging means for logging an actual launch acceleration curverepresenting actual launch acceleration during a launch;

a maximum allowable acceleration associated with a launch curve, saidlaunch system being adapted to adjust launch speed such that actualacceleration is within said maximum allowable acceleration;

weighing means for weighing said a passenger and/or a passenger carrierwith passenger(s) therein;

means for inputting and storing the age of the at least one passenger;

camera means for obtaining an image from each passenger and storagemeans for storing said image, preferably in combination with the actuallaunch curve undergone by said passenger;

at least one sensor for at least one environmental parameter, e.g.temperature, wind speed, wind direction, rain;

means for obtaining and storing a physical parameter of each passenger,e.g. hart rate, blood pressure.

A non-limitative example of an amusement ride installation according tothe present invention will be explained in detail with reference to theappended drawing. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 schematically shows an amusement ride installation;

FIG. 2 a schematic side view of the launch system of the installation ofFIG. 1 prior to a launch;

FIG. 3 the view of FIG. 2 at the start of the launch;

FIG. 4 the view of FIG. 3 at the moment of disconnection;

FIG. 5 a top view of the launch system;

FIG. 6 a schematic view of the launch winch and cable;

FIG. 7 a further schematic view of the winch and associated variablespeed drive means;

FIG. 8 schematic the launch winch and associated launch control means;

FIG. 9 an example of a desired launch curve; and

FIG. 10 a further example of a desired launch curve.

FIG. 1 shows an example of an amusement ride installation 1 according tothe invention. In this example the installation 1 has a guide structure2 formed by amusement ride guide structure 2 a and launch guidestructure 2 b, which are here interconnected to form an endless guidestructure. The amusement ride guide structure 2 a here includes anupward ramp 3 connected to the essentially horizontal launch guidestructure 2 a. The ramp 3 is followed by a spiralling section 4 and areturn section 5 which connects to the other end of the launch guidestructure 2 b.

It can be envisaged that the launch path provided by the launch guidestructure is inclined so as to elevate or descend in the direction ofthe launch. It can also be envisaged that the lauch path is non-linear,e.g. including a curved launch path.

It is clear that the amusement ride structure can have all sorts ofdesigns, e.g. including at least one of a curve, looping, screw, etc.

It can be envisaged that the launch guide structure is only temporarilyconnected to the amusement guide structure during launch anddisconnected therefrom after the carrier(s) have left the launch path.For instance a switch assembly could be arranged between the launchguide structure and the amusement guide structure.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the amusement ride guide structure 2 aand the launch guide structure 2 b together define a continuous loopedstructure, but of course other arrangements are also possible.

The guide structure 2 supports and guides one or more passenger carriers10, here a train of interconnected passenger carriers 10, each adaptedfor supporting one or more passengers. In this example each carrier 10has wheels or rollers 11 engaging on parallel rails which form the guidestructure 2.

The guide structure is in practice most likely of rigid design but itcan also be envisaged to have the guide structure (or part thereof)embodied as a cable or the like.

A passenger carrier 10 can have widely differing designs, e.g. a carrierwhich is suspended below the guide structure, e.g. for a single ormultiple passengers, a wheeled vehicle for one or multiple passengers, acarrier wherein a passenger is sitting, lying, suspended in a harness,sitting as on a bike, etc.

In this amusement ride installation 1 the train of passenger carriers 10is launched by a launch system, so that the train of carriers 10 isaccelerated very fast to a high terminal launch velocity. It is notedthat the terminal launch velocity can vary upon conditions, such as thetotal weight of the carriers and passengers, but also on basis of thedesired thrill for the passengers. The terminal launch velocity is onlyintended to guarantee that the launched carriers enter the amusementride path with the desired speed.

An example of the launch system will now be discussed in detail withreference to the drawings.

The launch system includes a drive means providing a variable drivespeed, embodied here as a winch 20 having a rotatable winch drum 21 fora connection cable 22 and associated winch drive means 23 providing avariable winch drive speed. The connection cable 22 provides a temporaryconnection between the winch 20 and the carriers 10 during the launch.It will be clear that instead of a cable, a chain, belt or similarflexible force-transmitting element can be used as well.

The winch drive means 23 include at least one hydraulic pump 40 and atleast one hydraulic motor 41, which drives the winch drum 21. In thisembodiment pump 40 and motor 41 are in a closed circuit arrangement. Fordriving the pump 40 a motor 48, e.g. an electrical motor or a combustionmotor, is provided. In practice many motors, e.g. 5 or 10 or even moremotors 41 can be associated with a single winch 20. It is also possibleto have multiple winches and associated connection cables in a singlelaunch system.

As an alternative for a winch, or in combination therewith, one or morelinear hydraulic rams may be used as a drive means, e.g. in anembodiment wherein a cable sheave assembly is displaceable by means ofone or more hydraulic rams. Electrically driven winches are alsopossible.

As enormous amount of energy is needed for a launch during a shortperiod, the hydraulic system here includes an accumulator system,including gas reservoirs 43 interconnected to an accumulator 59, theother end of which is connected to the hydraulic motor 41 via ahydraulic line. This allows storing a large amount of energy. A valveassembly 57 controls the release of hydraulic fluid under pressure fromthe accumulator system 43 to the motor 41. A return line 56 connects themotor 41 to the pump 40.

The motor 41 can be of the type having axial pistons of variable stroke,in this example having a swash plate with a controllable angle. The pump40 can be of the same type. A controller 46 provides control of theswash plate angle of the motor 41. A similar controller 46 is providedfor the pump 40.

The hydraulic system used preferably includes what is known as secondarycontrol in the field of hydraulic motors.

The connection cable 22 here has both ends connected to the drum 21 inopposite winding directions. A guide sheave 24 is mounted at thestarting end of the launch guide structure 2 b, while the winch 20 ismounted here underneath the ramp 3. The upper run of the cable 22 liesbetween the rails of the guide structure (see FIG. 5).

A further cable sheave 25 with associated lifting means 26 is placednear the guide sheave 24 for moving up and down the upper run of cable22.

In this example an engagement member 28, embodied here as a conicalpart, is fastened on the connection cable 22, which member 28 can engageon an associated engagement part 12 of the rearward passenger carrier10.

In a variant not shown in the drawings the launch system includes apusher cart and an associated pusher cart guide structure, said pushercart being connected to said cable 22 and said pusher cart being adaptedto engage said at least one passenger carrier 10 to be launched duringlaunch thereof and disconnect therefrom. In a practical embodimentthereof the pusher cart guide structure diverts the pusher cart from thelaunch path so that the pusher cart is disconnected from said passengercarrier.

As can be seen from the FIG. 4 the member 28 is disconnected from thepassenger carrier 10 as the carrier 10 moves onto the ramp 3. Thus atemporary connection is established between the drive means (winch 20,cable 22, member 28) and the at least one passenger carrier 10 to belaunched.

Not shown in the drawings is a braking system for braking said at leastone passenger carrier at a position, e.g. at position 87, downstream ofthe position where said at least one carrier has been disconnected fromsaid cable 22, e.g. a (electro-) magnetic or mechanical braking system.

The launch system is adapted to accelerate the train of passengercarriers 10 from a starting position “A” along said launch path until atleast a predetermined terminal launch speed has been reached by thetrain of passenger carriers 10, whereafter said the rearward passengercarrier 10 (and thus the other carriers as well) is disconnected fromthe connecting cable 22 and the train of passenger carriers 10 travelsfurther along the amusement ride path 2 a.

For example the train of passenger carriers 10 is launched within 3seconds to a terminal launch speed of 75 km/hr so that, on average, anacceleration of 0.7 G is obtained. It is envisaged that greateraccelerations and higher terminal launch speeds are possible, e.g.accelerations (well) above 1 G and speeds over 120 km/hr.

As will be explained now in detail the launch system comprises launchcontrol means 50 associated with and operably connected to said winchdrive means 23.

The launch control means 50 include at least one desired launchcharacteristic representing the desired acceleration of the at least onepassenger carrier during the launch thereof. In the example shown herethe desired launch characteristic is a desired launch curve representingdesired launch speed vs. position along the launch path for thepassenger carrier 10 during the launch thereof.

The launch control means 50 are in general adapted for collecting atleast one actual launch parameter and for comparing said actual launchparameter with said desired launch characteristic during said lauch.Further the launch control means 50 are adapted for adjusting saidvariable drive speed provided by the winch 20 on the basis of saidcomparison during said launch.

A desired launch characteristic is defined here as any sort ofrepresentation of the desired launch behaviour of a passenger carrier inrelation to the position of the passenger carrier with respect to thelaunch path.

A desired launch characteristic can in practice be represented in allsorts of manners, e.g. as desired position of the carrier vs. elapsedtime, desired acceleration vs. time or vs. position, desired launchspeed vs. time or vs. position, etc.

Each of the above characteristics can be stored in many differentmanners, e.g. in form of a table, one or more mathematical formula's andone or more associated parameters, as a curve, etc. It will depend onthe design of the control means 50 which manner is most suitable to thedesired control of the launch of the carriers 10.

In this example multiple desired launch curve 60 a-60 e are refererredto, each representing desired launch speed vs. position along the launchpath for the passenger carrier 10 during the launch thereof.

The launch control means 50 here further include speed detection means70 associated with said launch control means 50 for detecting actuallaunch speed of the passenger carrier 10 during the launch thereof.

The launch control means 50 further include position detection means 75associated with said launch control means 50 for detecting actualposition of the passenger carrier 10 during launch.

The launch control means 50 are adapted for comparing said actual launchspeed with said desired launch speed and adjusting said drive speed ofthe winch 20 accordingly during the launch in order to effect as closelyas possible said desired launch speed of the passenger carrier 10. Thisis depicted in FIG. 8 with comparator means 51.

In the example shown here the speed detection means 70 is adapted todetect the angular speed of the winch drum 21. As the winch drum 21 herehas a constant diameter, this speed of the drum 21 is representative forthe speed of the cable 22 and thus of the passenger carrier 10 on whichthe engagement member 28 engages. It is clear that other means could beprovided to measure actual launch speed, such as a suitable accelerationsensor mounted on the carrier, communicating wireless to the launchcontrol means 50.

The position detection means 75 here are adapted to calculate the actualcarrier 10 position on the basis of the detected actual launch speed bymeans of the speed detection means 70. It is clear that other means fordetecting the position of the carrier 10 could be provided, such assensors mounted along the launch path.

It will be clear to the man skilled in the art that the installationcould as an alternative be equipped with means of detecting the actualcarrier position and then have the speed detection means adapted tocalculate the actual carrier speed on the basis of the detected actualcarrier position.

The launch control means 50 here is adapted to detect the actual launchspeed and to control said launch with a frequency of at least 1 kHz,preferably at least 10 kHz, more preferably at least 20 kHz or even 50kHz or more. This allows to accurately control the launch of the trainof passenger carriers 10 during the launch. It is noted that with lowerfrequencies, e.g. of at least 10 Hz it will be difficult to obtain asatisfactory control of the launch.

In the example shown the launch control means 50 preferably include acomputer system 80 having a memory 81 in which a database containingmultiple desired launch curves 60 a-60 e are stored.

A suitable computer program allows an operator of the launch system toselect one of said desired launch curves, here represented in FIG. 8 byselector means 82. It is noted that an automatic (pre-) selection of oneor more suitable launch curves can also be envisaged.

The computer system 80 further comprises logging means 85 for logging anactual launch speed curve representing actual launch speed, e.g. vs.carrier position, during a launch.

The launch control means 50 further comprise an acceleration calculationmeans 90 calculating actual acceleration during a launch. The computersystem 80 comprises logging means 92 for logging an actual launchacceleration curve representing actual launch acceleration, e.g. vs.carrier position, during a launch.

In a possible embodiment the launch control means further include amaximum allowable acceleration associated with a desired launch curve60, e.g. 1.0 G, said control means 50 being adapted to adjust the launchspeed such that actual acceleration is within said maximum allowableacceleration.

A desired launch characteristic can include an acceleration stretch,wherein said at least one passenger carrier 10 is accelerated, and aconstant terminal launch speed stretch following said accelerationstretch, wherein said predetermined terminal launch speed is maintained,preferably during between 0.05 and 0.5 seconds. An example of such adesired launch curve is depicted in FIG. 9.

In the acceleration stretch a constant acceleration can be represented,but also an acceleration stretch having a variable acceleration ispossible.

It can also be envisaged that the acceleration stretch contains at leasttwo sub stretches of representing different accelerations. This isdepicted in FIG. 10. For instance it can be envisaged that a first,relatively limited acceleration is used to have the passengers bepressed into their seats or the like and then to proceed with a greatersecond acceleration.

The launch control means 50 can include weighing means 140 for weighingsaid a passenger and/or a passenger carrier with passenger(s) therein.In a further embodiment the launch control means having a database formultiple launch characteristics can be equipped with selection means 82which are adapted to select a desired launch characteristic at least independency on the result obtained by weighing means. In this manner theweight variation can be dealt with.

The launch control means 50 could also include means 120, e.g. akeyboard of the computer system 80, for inputting the age of the atleast one, preferably all passengers. In such an embodiment, and with adatabase of multiple launch characteristics, the selection means 82could be adapted to (pre-)select a launch characteristic at least independency on the input age(s). In this manner e.g. a ∓teenager launch”and an “elderly launch” could be distinguished between.

The launch control means 50 can include camera means 100 for obtainingan image from each passenger and storage means 101 for storing saidimage, e.g. on disk or tape, preferably in combination with the actuallaunch characteristic undergone by said passenger. This allows forestablishing proof that a certain passenger has been subjected to aparticular launch, e.g. in case of liability issues. For instance onlythe maximum actual accelerations during a launch are stored.

The launch control means 50 can further include at least one sensor 110for at least one environmental parameter, e.g. temperature, wind speed,wind direction, rain. Preferably the selection means 82 are adapted toselect a launch curve 60 a-60 e in dependency of said environmentalparameter sensor. It is for instance possible to adapt the launch to thetemperature, so as to compensate for effects of the temperature on thefrictional forces acting of the carriers 10. The wind speed and/ordirection can be used in the same manner, so as to compensate for theeffects of the wind on the launch. Rain can have effect on thefrictional forces acting on the carriers 10 and thus can be a parameteras well.

The launch control means 50 can include graphic display means 130, e.g.a computer monitor for the operator, for displaying the desired and/oractual launch curve.

In a possible embodiment the graphic display means include a display 131located such that said desired and/or actual launch curve are visiblefor at least one passenger. This could be a display mounted on thecarrier 10 in front of the passenger(s), a large screen display mountedabove or along the launch path. Also it can be envisaged having adisplay of the launch curve at the location where passenger are waitingand/or boarding the carrier 10.

In a further possible embodiment the launch control means include meansfor obtaining a physical parameter from each passenger, e.g. hart rate,blood pressure, and storage means for storing said parameter, preferablyin combination with the actual launch curve undergone by said passenger.For instance each passenger could be given a hart rate sensor, e.g.embodied as a watch, which transmits the hart rate to the control means.

1. Amusement ride installation comprising: at least one passengercarrier adapted for supporting one or more passengers, an amusement rideguide structure supporting and guiding the at least one passengercarrier along an amusement ride path defined by the amusement ride guidestructure, a launch system for launching the at least one passengercarrier, said launch system comprising: a launch guide structuresupporting and guiding the at least one passenger carrier to be launchedalong a launch path, a drive means providing a variable drive speed,drive means-carrier connection means, including at least one mechanicalconnecting member, providing a temporary mechanical connection betweenthe drive means and the at least one passenger carrier to be launched,wherein said launch system is adapted to accelerate said at least onepassenger carrier from a starting position along said launch path untilat least a predetermined terminal launch speed has been reached by saidat least one passenger carrier, after which said passenger carrier isdisconnected from said connecting member and said at least one passengercarrier travels further along the amusement ride path, wherein saidlaunch system further comprises: launch control means associated withsaid drive means, said launch control means including at least onedesired launch characteristic representing the desired acceleration ofthe at least one passenger carrier during the launch thereof, saidlaunch control means being adapted for collecting at least one actuallaunch parameter and for comparing said actual launch parameter withsaid desired launch characteristic during said lauch, said launchcontrol means further being adapted for adjusting said variable drivespeed provided by the drive means on the basis of said comparison duringsaid launch.
 2. Amusement ride installation according to claim 1,wherein said launch characteristic is a desired launch curverepresenting desired launch speed vs. position along the launch path forthe at least one passenger carrier during the launch thereof. 3.Amusement ride installation according to claim 1, wherein said launchsystem further comprises at least one of: acceleration detection meansassociated with said launch control means for detecting actual launchacceleration of the at least one passenger carrier during the launchthereof; speed detection means associated with said launch control meansfor detecting actual launch speed of the at least one passenger carrierduring the launch thereof; position detection means associated with saidlaunch control means for detecting actual position of the at least onepassenger carrier during launch.
 4. Amusement ride installationaccording to claim 1, wherein said drive means include a winch having arotatable winch drum for a connecting cable, which forms part of thedrive means-carrier connection means, and associated winch drive meansproviding a variable winch drive speed.
 5. Amusement ride installationaccording to claim 2, wherein said speed detection means are adapted todetect the angular speed of the winch drum.
 6. Amusement rideinstallation according to claim 2, wherein said position detection meansare adapted to calculate the actual carrier position on the basis of thedetected actual launch speed.
 7. Amusement ride installation accordingto claim 2, wherein said speed detection means is adapted to calculatethe actual carrier speed on the basis of the detected actual carrierposition and elapsed time.
 8. Amusement ride installation according toclaim 1, wherein said launch control means further comprise a databasecontaining multiple desired launch characteristics and selection meansfor selecting one of said desired launch characteristics.
 9. Amusementride installation according to claim 1, wherein said launch controlmeans further comprise logging means for logging an actual launch speedcurve representing actual launch speed during a launch.
 10. Amusementride installation according to claim 2, wherein said launch controlmeans further comprise an acceleration calculation means calculatingactual acceleration during a launch.
 11. Amusement ride installationaccording to claim 10, wherein said launch control means furthercomprise logging means for logging an actual launch acceleration curverepresenting actual launch acceleration during a launch.
 12. Amusementride installation according to claim 1, wherein said launch controlmeans further include a maximum allowable acceleration associated with alaunch characteristic, said control means being adapted to adjust launchspeed such that actual acceleration is within said maximum allowableacceleration.
 13. Amusement ride installation according to claim 1,wherein said launch control means is adapted to detect said actuallaunch speed with a frequency of at least 1 kHz.
 14. Amusement rideinstallation according to claim 1, wherein a desired launchcharacteristic includes an acceleration stretch, wherein said at leastone passenger carrier is accelerated, and a constant terminal launchspeed stretch following said acceleration stretch, wherein saidpredetermined terminal launch speed is maintained.
 15. Amusement rideinstallation according to claim 14, wherein a constant acceleration isrepresented by said acceleration stretch.
 16. Amusement rideinstallation according to claim 14, wherein said acceleration stretchcontains at least two sub stretches of representing differentaccelerations.
 17. Amusement ride installation according to claim 1,wherein said launch control means include weighing means for weighingsaid a passenger and/or a passenger carrier with passenger(s) therein.18. Amusement ride installation according to claim 8, wherein saidselection means are adapted to select a launch characteristic at leastin dependency on the weighing performed by the weighing means. 19.Amusement ride installation according to claim 1, wherein said launchcontrol means includes means for inputting the age of the at least onepassenger.
 20. Amusement ride installation according to claim 8, whereinsaid selection means are adapted to select a launch characteristic atleast in dependency on the input age(s).
 21. Amusement ride installationaccording to claim 1, wherein the launch control means include camerameans for obtaining an image from each passenger and storage means forstoring said image.
 22. Amusement ride installation according to claim1, wherein said launch control means include at least one sensor for atleast one environmental parameter.
 23. Amusement ride installationaccording to claim 8, wherein said selection means are adapted to selecta launch characteristic in dependency of said environmental parametersensor.
 24. Amusement ride installation according to claim 1, wherein abraking system for braking said at least one passenger carrier at aposition downstream of the position where said at least one carrier hasbeen disconnected from said connecting member.
 25. Amusement rideinstallation according to claim 1, wherein said launch path is inclinedso as to elevate or descend in the direction of the launch. 26.Amusement ride installation according to claim 1, wherein said amusementride guide structure contains at least one of a curve, looping, screw.27. Amusement ride installation according to claim 1, wherein saidamusement ride guide structure and said launch guide structure togetherdefine a continuous looped structure.
 28. Amusement ride installationaccording to claim 1, wherein said amusement ride guide structure and/orlaunch guide structure is a rail structure including at least one ormultiple parallel rails upon which said at least one passenger carrierengages.
 29. Amusement ride installation according to claim 1, whereinsaid launch control means include graphic display means for displayingan desired and/or actual launch curve.
 30. Amusement ride installationaccording to claim 29, wherein wherein said graphic display means arelocated such that said desired and/or actual launch curve are visiblefor at least one passenger.
 31. Amusement ride installation according toclaim 1, wherein said launch system includes a pusher cart and anassociated pusher cart guide structure, said pusher cart being connectedto said connecting cable and said pusher cart being adapted to engagesaid at least one passenger carrier to be launched during launch thereofand disconnect therefrom.
 32. Amusement ride installation according toclaim 31, wherein said pusher cart guide structure diverts the pushercart from the launch path so that the pusher cart is disconnected fromsaid passenger carrier.
 33. Amusement ride installation according toclaim 1, wherein the launch control means include means for obtaining aphysical parameter from each passenger, and storage means for storingsaid parameter.
 34. Amusement ride installation according to claim 1,wherein the lauch system includes a hydraulic transmission having a pumpand a motor.
 35. A method for operating an amusement ride installationcomprising: at least one passenger carrier adapted for supporting one ormore passengers, an amusement ride guide structure supporting andguiding the at least one passenger carrier along an amusement ride pathdefined by the amusement ride guide structure, a launch system forlaunching the at least one passenger carrier, said launch systemcomprising: a launch guide structure supporting and guiding the at leastone passenger carrier to be launched along a launch path, said launchguide structure being interconnected to the amusement ride guidestructure, a drive means providing a variable drive speed, drivemeans-carrier connection means, including at least one connecting cable,providing a temporary connection between the drive means and the atleast one passenger carrier to be launched, in which method said atleast one passenger carrier is accelerated from a starting positionalong said launch path until at least a predetermined terminal launchspeed has been reached by said at least one passenger carrier,whereafter said passenger carrier is disconnected from said connectingcable and said at least one passenger carrier travels further along theamusement ride path, characterised in that said launch system furthercomprises: launch control means associated with said drive means, saidlaunch control means including at least one desired launchcharacteristic representing the desired acceleration of the at least onepassenger carrier during the launch thereof, said launch control meansbeing adapted for collecting at least one actual launch parameter andfor comparing said actual launch parameter with said desired launchcharacteristic during said lauch, said launch control means furtherbeing adapted for adjusting said variable drive speed provided by thedrive means on the basis of said comparision during said launch.